Those of us who grew up with solo folkie versions of Child ballads—such as those sung so exquisitely by Joan Baez—will find Mitchell and Hamer's close-harmony duets a different but equally enrapturing way to experience these timeless, haunting compositions. The seven songs include "Willie of Winsbury," "Sir Patrick Spens," "Riddles Wisely Expounded," "Tam Lin," and "Geordie."

"The folk songs collated in the 19th century by Sir Francis James Child are the taproot of transcontinental folk culture: a treasure-house of tales for performers from Martin Carthy to Bob Dylan, and a more recent influence on nu-folkies like The Decemberists…. Their sleek but salty harmonies [are] borne on warm, hypnotic arrangements of guitar, accordion, pump organ and fiddle. It's a deeply satisfying album, steeped in mystery and enchantment. Four stars."—The Independent